Did we fail to invite the Americans? Imee Marcos asks on US absence in legislators' meet

The 31st Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) was “sadly blighted” by the absence of the United States in the annual forum, Senator Imee Marcos said on Friday.

Marcos also raised questions on the possible reasons for the US’ skipping of the parliamentarians’ meeting. 

“Did we fail to invite the Americans in time? Was there some failure of coordination which ultimately led to their absence?” the head of the Senate committee on foreign relations, said.

“Certainly, the Americans understand the importance of their participation for any meaningful dialogue for peace and security in this vast region,” she added. 

The Philippines is hosting the 31st APPF from Thursday, November 23 to Saturday, November 25, 2023 — the second time since 1994. 

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said the US is “excused” from the international dialogue as the country is celebrating Thanksgiving Season. 

“It’s Thanksgiving, that’s their version of Easter for us. They are excused,” Zubiri told GMA News Online. 

Attending the international forum are 18 countries, namely Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mexico, Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Russian Federation, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Zubiri earlier said among the issues expected to be raised in APPF is the territorial dispute in the South China Sea and the trade cooperation among the member-states. 

Meanwhile, Senator Ronald dela Rosa said China objected to the resolutions sponsored by the Philippines and Indonesia on maritime security and settling of disputes using international law, such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). 

China's objections resulted in the rejection of the resolutions, the senator said, as rules of APPF dictate that resolutions can only be adopted through a consensus. Once any member-state opposes it, then it will be considered rejected. 

Japan’s call for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula was likewise blocked at the APPF following China and Russia’s opposition.—LDF, GMA Integrated News